(15) The Lands of Ralosia: The Barrier (8k words)

Corri separates from her family and friends and returns to the Sky Lands. While taking a job, she meets a mysterious young man named Valr. She discovers his desire to return to his homeland, the Lands of Ranuulo, and decides to do whatever she can to help him. But the young girl doesn't anticipate the repercussions of her actions and how they will affect everyone in the world.

(6/21/22) Self edited, audio edited, peer edited.

Peer editing by Mikrokosmostae

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~Chapter 1- The Barrier~

~Age 991 B~

After the tournament, the Masked Boy flew south towards the great desert. Brisk and arid winds lashed against him, and the moon was high in the sky. In an often-neglected part of the desert was an outcropping of stone, a small temple with a sealed door.

The boy descended to the ground near it and dug his hands into the gaps of the entrance, forcing the stone doors apart. As he entered, the doors automatically shut behind him, and a series of torches lining the walls procured fire in reaction to his presence, lighting the way forward.

The Masked One didn't realize that he was being followed, however. A figure riding a black-winged bird entered the temple, staying at such a distance that he wouldn't be noticed.

As the Masked One continued through the temple, he walked down descending stairs. A compartment opened above him, and a golden statue dropped from it and sprung to life with glowing eyes, intent on guarding this place. But the Masked Boy skillfully flew around it and continued on his way.

As the boy went through the temple, iconography was strewn across the walls. Repeated symbols of an Owl, Ram, Turtle, and a visage of the Goddess. A mural displayed a battle between the beings of the Lands of Ralosia, fighting another army. Ralosians, Mecarne, Densius, Phantine, the three deities of this world, and the Goddess wielding gauntlets. The Goddess Ralosia and her army faced off against an imposing group that looked monstrous.

The opposing army was led by a muscular being with a spotted body, red eyes, red flaming hair, and a jagged great sword directed against the Goddess. Alongside that being were reptilian and arachnid-like people wielding vicious weapons. Some beings appeared like this land's Densius but had a beastly form rather than a humanoid one. Though the army facing Ralosia was made to appear evil, the Masked Boy knew better. They were the people of the Lands of Ranuulo.

The Masked Boy continued further into the temple until he reached what appeared to be a dead end. A small flight of stairs led up to a circular gate with a shimmering substance over it, blocking the way through.

He took the orbs from his bags. One was a series of conjoined orbs of yellow, green, blue, and pink while another was the singular red orb Aero had given him. There was a resonance between them, and when the boy brought them together, the orb melded itself to the others. They glowed with a bright white light and emanated energy.

He set the orb down gently and walked up to the gate. He placed his hand on the shimmering substance which obscured the gate, the barrier. He struck the barrier a few times, and it rippled from the impacts as if it were water. But when he touched it, it felt solid. In all his attempts to break through the barrier, he was never able to damage it. If not for this mask he wore, he'd still be trapped on the other side.

The boy rushed to the orb and gripped it in his hand. With all the strength he had, he crushed the orb and felt his body fill with adrenaline. He knew he only had a few minutes to use the orb's strength and wasn't about to waste it.

He extended both hands forward, and a continuous burst of Focus streamed from him at the barrier. It rippled violently. He put every ounce of strength he could into the barrier. His power felt limitless.

But the barrier remained. The Masked Boy told himself it was weakening, but he couldn't be sure. But just as it felt as if the barrier was going to shatter, that limitless power coursing through him began to fade. It was slow, but soon he returned to his regular level of strength.

"No. No- No! NO!" The Masked Boy shouted as he expended all of the power the orb had granted him. He beat his fists against the ever-present barrier; even the power orb wasn't enough to break through.

"Those orbs will never be enough. I've tried," A voice said from behind him. The Masked Boy turned and saw a cloaked figure with a pale white chest and face, ebon black arms, and luminescent orange eyes. "If you don't believe me, you're free to try again."

The being snapped their fingers, and a fully formed power orb manifested in the air. With a gesture, the orb float into the Masked Boy's hands.

"How did you get one of these?" The Masked One asked.

"I've tried breaking through the barrier dozens of times using those power orbs, but it never worked. Their effects lessen as the person using them becomes stronger. For someone as powerful as me, they do practically nothing. They'll never be enough to get through the barrier."

The Masked Boy tucked the fully formed power orb into his bag, "You... you're a Ranuulan."

"Yes. Trapped in these lands, just like you."

"You're Lunahreim, aren't you?"

The being raised an eyebrow at the boy, "Ah, so your parents have spoken of me? I hope their words were kind."

The Masked Boy heard stories of this Ranuulan. He had questions prepared for him if he ever came across him. "How did you, Razan, and Lucar leave the Lands of Ranuulo?"

Lunahreim's face turned serious, "I imagine it was the same way you did. That mask allowed us to pass through. But we weren't the ones wearing it then."

"Who was?"

"I don't know. I don't think that will help us if we knew, since the mask doesn't seem to open the way from this side of the barrier," Lunahreim posited, "This barrier was created by the Goddess herself."

"So... there's no way to get back home?" The Masked Boy asked glumly.

"I believe the only way to destroy the barrier completely is with the power of the Goddess," Lunahreim explained, "I believe I know exactly the person who can do it. But I'll need your help if it's going to work."

The masked one stammered, "If you think there's a way to get through the barrier, I'll do it. Whatever it takes!"